KOBD

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KOBD
GENERAL
Transformers
Character	Breakdown
Character	Knock Out
Canonical?	Canon
Status of Relationship	Partners; Breakdown is dead (Prime) Conjunx Endura (IDW)
IN FANDOM
Type (?)	Slash
Also Known As	Breakout, Knockdown, BDKO

1 1

KOBD is the slash ship between Knock Out and Breakdown from the Transformers fandom.

Canon

Knock Out, the slick Decepticon medic, was far and away the breakout character of Transformers: Prime. He was suave, he was extremely vain, and he gave Autobots like Bumblebee and Arcee a real challenge on the roads. His partner-in-crime was Breakdown, a heavy bruiser who filled the role of Bulkhead’s arch-nemesis.

When Knock Out was introduced in Windblade: Volume 2 number 4, he retains everything from his Prime persona except the sadistic streak. He’s a high-ranking racer on Velocitron, but nothing’s really been said that’s new. However, when Moonracer and Windblade have their conversation at Maccadam’s, the Velocitronian alludes to Knock Out having a Conjunx Endura who ‘couldn’t break Mach 1 if his life depended on it.’ Breakdown, with his bulky build, certainly fits this description. In the Holiday Special, we finally get confirmation that the two are a couple.

Season 1

DEUS EX MACHINA

Starscream takes Knock Out to Megatron and tells him to fix him. Knock Out says that it would be easier if he had his assistant, and Starscream said that he summoned both of them. He asks where Breakdown is and Knock Out says that they were on an energon trail when he summoned them. He'll get there as soon as possible.

As Starscream says that the Harvester was a gift from ancient Autobots, Knock Out corrects him and says that it was actually a gift from him and Breakdown. Starscream then fires it at them, which they narrowly avoid and Knock Out goes back on his pervious statement. When Bulkhead arrives to stop them, they pull out their weapons and start to attack, but Bulkhead ducks and they hit each other instead.

When Bulkhead is knocked out, Knock Out comments that he's a glutton for punishment and the two get ready to attack. The rest of the Autobots then arrive. Breakdown asks if they should fight, but Knock Out says they should drive as they make their escape.

SPEED METAL

While Knock Out is going for a drive, he gets a message from Breakdown who tells him that Starscream is looking for him. He asks where he went and Knock Out says that he just drives from town to town waiting for an opportunity to present itself. He then drives off to chase another car. Later, after kidnapping what he assumes is an autobot ally, he call Breakdown and tells him about it. Both laughing at the idea of the autobots coming to rescue him.

T.M.I.

As Miko becomes upset over Bulkhead loosing his memories, Breakdown and Knock Out arrive. Breakdown sarcastically says that the moment is making him cry. As the two run away, Breakdown says it's not like Bulkhead to run from a fight. Knock Out comments that Bulkhead has had a little too much to think and the two start to follow them. When they reach the parking lot, Knock Out and Breakdown split up and start searching for Bulkhead. Breakdown finds Miko and starts to attack, but Knock Out interrupts and tells him to forget about her. The game's only fun when they're winning. They find Bulkhead and easily take him out, but Miko tries to stop them. She accidentally hits Bulkhead and he radiates energy into the air. Breakdown and Knock Out take cover, and scan Bulkhead after to find the information gone. Knock Down says that Megatron is going to punish them for loosing the data, and Breakdown says that they'll have to kill Miko. They're interrupted by the autobots and the two quickly drive off.

FASTER, STRONGER

The Autobots chase Knock Out and Breakdown, as Breakdown is carrying a cube of Energon. Breakdown asks if they can get a bridge out, but Knock Out says that they need the Autobots to burn as much fuel as possible. So that the decepticons can be the ones to with the Energon race. They race the others until Arcee is attacked and Ratchet arrives to fight off their back up drones. Knock Out says that they seem to have brought in a ringer, and Breakdown says he'll ring his bell. The rest of the Autobots then arrive as back up, and Knock Off says they'll have to wait and drive off.

THE HUMAN FACTOR

Knock Out is on the Nemesis bridge when Breakdown's signal pops up, but corrupted. He informs Megatron who tells him to investigate, but carefully since it could be a trap. Knock Out hopes it not, since Breakdowns good with a rotary buffer. He takes the portal to "Breakdown's" location where he sees him coming out of the wreckage of a building. He's about to ask where Breakdown's been when he gets a good look at him and realizes something's wrong. Knock Out asks Breakdown what happened to him, but the voice that comes out isn't Breakdown's, but Silas'. Who demands to be taken to Megatron.

Megatron demands to know why Knock Out brought Silas to him, as Silas starts to make his case. Knock Out says that Silas is the human who dissected Breakdown, and switches his hand to a buzz saw. He asks Megatron for permission to return the favor, but Megatron still hears Silas out.

Season 3

THIRST

In Knock Out's lab Starscream is complaining to him while Knock Out experiments on Silas. Starscream says that while Knock Out is clearly justified in not caring about Silas, he asks if it bothers him to watch what's left of Breakdown be put through the experiments as well. Knock Out isn't really bothered by it. If anything he thinks Breakdown would be pleased with what he's doing, since it wasn't so long ago that Silas had Breakdown on his own lab table.

Moments

Season 1

Deus Ex Machina

• Knock Out and Breakdown stand next to each other as they discuss where to find the Harvester.
• Knock Out catcalls Optimus and compares the 'heavy duty' nature of his alt mode to Breakdown's.
• Knock Out signals to Breakdown to come forward.
• Breakdown accidentally knocks Bulkhead into Knock Out.
• Breakdown and Knock Out look to each other as Starscream starts to drain the energon.

Speed Metal

• Breakdown listens to Starscream and Knock Out argue.
• Breakdown fights the Autobots while Knock Out waits for more.
• Knock Out informs Breakdown that if he's looking for him he ran off to avoid getting more scratched up.
• Breakdown cringes and looks away when Starscream scratches Knock Out.

Out of His Head

• Knock Out has Breakdown attack Arcee and Bulkhead.

T.M.I.

• Breakdown takes on Bulkhead after he knock Knock Out aside.
• Knock Out and Breakdown enter the portal at the same time.
• Knock Out and Breakdown explain to Megatron what happened with the cylinder.
• Knock Out starts to tell Megatron that he and Breakdown will get Bulkhead, but is interrupted.
• Knock Out tells Megatron that he and Breakdown found Bulkhead's signature.

One Shall Rise Part 3

• Knock Out comments to Breakdown to watch out for the quiet ones when Soundwave beats Arachnid.

Season 2

Orion Pax: Part 1

• Breakdown and Knock Out steal the power source.

Operation Bumblebee: Part 2

• Breakdown and Knock Out fight the autobots after they find the artifact.
• Breakdown complains to Knock Out about having to dig out the artifact.
• Breakdown looks to Knock Out pushing back the Autobots.
• Bulkhead throws Breakdown into Knock Out.

Tunnel Vision

• Knock Out plans to succeed in his excursion in memory of Breakdown.

Hurt

• Knock Out comments on how detailing was easier when Breakdown was around.

The Human Factor

• Knock Out is happy to dissect Silas, and believes that Breakdown would be as well.

Season 3

Thirst

• Knock Out tells Starscream, that he has admired him through all these years, although he's nothing compared to Breakdown.

Comics

Till All Are One Annual

• Knock Out admits that he stays on Cyberton for the sake of Breakdown, who says that it's a place where you can be more than just fast.

Transformers: Holiday Special

• Knock Out and Breakdown are mentioning going on vacation.

Transformers MLP: The Magic Of Cybertron

• Knock Out agrees to help Autobot Ratchet and Rarity in order to save his partner Breakdown.
• Needing to restrain Breakdown Knock Out comments, "My friend seems to have remembered what an unstoppable brute he can be! And for once, I am not Enjoying it."
• Knock Out pours out his feelings to Breakdown in order to save him, only to find out that wasn't needed, Breakdown thanks him anyways.

Quotes

Windblade – “Then why stay?”

Knock Out – “Well, I can't believe I'm saying this but...it's my conjunx. He's happy here. "Here's a place where you can be more than just fast." He says, or something silly like that.”

— Till All Our One Annual

Fanon

KOBD is one of the most popular ships in the Transformers fandom, but is overall less well known in the mainstream media. This is due to their interactions only taking place in Tranformers: Prime and the IDW Comics. From their interactions in the show, many fans suspected that the two might have been a couple. As fun as it might’ve been, there was no official confirmation- until IDW stepped in and put their own spin on things. Mairghread Scott has also confirmed from the get-go that Breakdown is Knock Out's Conjunx Endura, likely a wink at fans who believed that Prime Knock Out's relationship with his Breakdown was more than platonic.

It was also confirmed by the producers of Transformers: Prime that Knock Out is gay, not only due to his obsession of his own appearance, but the possible flirting to other characters such as Optimus Prime, Starscream, and Breakdown.

In 2021 the tfp itterations of Knock Out and Breakdown were featured as a couple in a valentines post on the Transformers Instagram page, next to Oplita- another popular canon couple.

Many fans think that Wildbreak from Transformers: Robots in Disguise could be Knock Out and Breakdown’s child because of his distinct similarities to Breakdown and Knock Out. Some also noted that Override from the 2019 Comics bears striking resemblance to Knock Out, with some minor similarities to Breakdown. Theorizing that she's their daughter or at least related to them.

On AO3, KOBD is the most written ship for both Knock Out and Breakdown. It is also the fith most written ship in the Transformers - All Media Types tag, and the most written in the Transformers: Prime tag.

Fandom

FAN FICTION

Breakdown/Knockout tag on AO3

WIKIS

Knock Out's relationship with Breakdown on Transformers Wiki

Breakdown's relationship with Knock Out on Transformers Wiki

Breakdown/Knock Out on Fanlore